4 Tucson charters schools set to open in fall
Associated Press
Jan. 17, 2006

TUCSON - Four Tucson charter schools are set to open this fall after all were quickly approved.

Including the four, Tucson will have a total of 92 operational charter schools in the city.

Erich Saphir, co-director of Steiner Community School, said the wait for approval from the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools on Wednesday was surprisingly short. "It was unexpectedly fast," he said. "It's a big adrenaline rush, and it's a tremendous relief when you're successful."

The Steiner Community Schools will focus heavily on music, fine arts and foreign language.

The other Tucson charter schools approved Wednesday were the Arizona Academy of Leadership, an elementary school focusing on leadership and community service; Wildcat Secondary School, which will operate in partnership with the University of Arizona; and Desert Southwest Academy, a high school with a vocational focus.

Statewide, 17 charters applied for approval Wednesday and 14 were approved.